Trait Upgrading
The Solana blockchain allows the dynamic upgrading of traits which is a feature we will utilize within the Perky Pikas NFT project. We intend to push utility to our native SPL token (LEAF coin) through this upgrading mechanic.
There are a number of factors we’ve taken into account here:
- There should be real utility around upgrading rarity, or why bother?
- Increasing rarity should not be easy, or it devalues rarer traits
- There should be a cap on all traits: you shouldn’t end up in a scenario where 20% of the supply share a ‘legendary’ trait.
Utility
The game we are building is a skill based game influenced heavily by Runescape. We wanted trait rarity to have a real impact on gameplay so that it provides the incentive for holders to upgrade their trait rarity. Our solution was to tie trait rarity to in game level caps and buffs:
“Debuff” refers to a reduction in the overall cap level.
By mapping trait categories to in-game skills we are able to incentivize upgrading traits across all categories. Players will need to prioritize upgrading traits that fit their own play style. Do you want to be a master miner/blacksmith and make a living crafting the best weapons and selling to other players?
Would you prefer simply to buy a higher rarity from the secondary market? Would you like to carve out a niche and buy lower rarity NFTs, upgrade them and sell them for a profit?
There will be a myriad of different ways to play.
Free to Play versus Paid Players
We want to open the game up to everyone while still incentivizing buying an NFT. We can do this again by setting level caps within the game. If you want to access the full content and level cap you will need to own one of the original 1,111 Perky Pikas (maxed out in rarity).
Perky Pika holders will get access to the seasonal breeding mechanic: which will mint all of the future Baby Pikas: the next tier down of paid content. Baby Pikas will have a reduced level cap in game but will be able to access the vast majority of content.
Protecting Rarity Value
We have decided to make upgrading traits relatively costly in LEAF terms. This should take holders a long time to achieve. There should be a question of prioritization: to spend LEAF on upgrading rarity traits, upgrading the in game house, or spending LEAF on Pika evolutions. By making it costly, LEAF coin becomes more valuable and we drive utility and demand to it.
For us to become a sustainable Play to Earn game, there needs to be an incentive to buy LEAF coin so there are both buyers and sellers.
Rarity can only be increased a single step at a time: from common to uncommon for example. To upgrade all the way from Common to Legendary the fee will be (500+700+900).
In order to protect rarity value, we will cap the supply for each trait. For instance, a legendary skin such as the Robot skin, will only ever have a supply of 10. When the supply is maxed out, this will no longer be a valid upgrade choice.
We plan on adding new traits, such as additional skins over time.
The value of 1 of 1s
Should you be lucky enough to mint or buy a 1 of 1 Pika you will own a prized asset! Not only will you walk around in game with a unique avatar, your NFT will be considered fully maxed across all traits.
Baby Pikas
Baby Pikas can also have upgraded trait rarity. Baby Pikas have dual utility: they can be used as an in-game playable character, or they may be evolved to provide an in-game companion. The type and quality of the in game companion will be influenced by the rarity of the baby Pika that is evolved.
Each breeding cycle, we will release a small number of 1 of 1 themed baby Pikas, with the first theme being Marvel! There will be a tough choice to make: do you make this your playable character (which is maxed out in trait rarity, but limited in its potential compared with a full Perky Pika NFT), or do you evolve it to get a max rarity companion but lose the themed 1 of 1 avatar forever?
We can’t wait to share with you the details behind our Evolution mechanic soon!
